Mac OS / Audio Interface Tip

[CandidPicker]

Recently, one of my software acquisitions included Logic Pro X. And from my old iMac which used GarageBand, my new iMac which installed Logic on it as an aftermarket purchase, both GarageBand and Logic had its audio issues.

What occurred once Logic was opened and old projects imported to Logic, my computer audio experienced issues. It was necessary to play through my internal speakers before my audio interface could power up and connect to my iMac.

Through some investigation with AppleCare Sunday evening, it was realized that my when my iMac was allowed to sleep, then awakened, the iMac would default to whatever audio (internal speaker output, or audio interface output) is connected before powering up.

The audio connects to whatever available audio (internal speaker or interface) is powered at the time. If the audio interface is off, the iMac defaults to the internal speakers. If the audio interface is on before the iMac is awakened from sleep, the iMac defaults to the audio interface.

Therefore, the correct solution if one wishes to hear audio through your audio interface is, power up your audio interface and computer monitors (or plug in your headphones into your audio interface), then, awaken your iMac from sleep.

The way to check what audio device is connected is to observe the speaker icon in the upper right corner of your iMac screen, click on it, and check that your audio interface is the selected audio device.

Just thought to offer this tip for those who may experience similar issues with their DAWs, and provide an easier workaround solution instead of a bug-fix. It's easier to adjust your powering up workflow that it is manage a bug-fix, which may be months or years away.

Many thanks goes out to AppleCare (Singapore) last night for taking the time to ask questions and diagnose the issue in its entirety, and provide this solution.

 

[RickP]

Good to know, I need to test with my DAW and see how it reacts.

 

[CandidPicker]

Good to know, I need to test with my DAW and see how it reacts.

Your DAW may not have this issue...my former iMac which had migrated data from previous incarnations may have inherited a glitch through it descendants...and passed in on to my current iMac. The issue originally began with GarageBand as early as 2015, but has been passed on down to my current iMac.

Be sure to set your audio prefs in your DAW to Systems Settings, rather than your audio interface when not using your DAW. If your DAW audio prefs are set to your audio interface, it'll raise rim with your iMac audio after you save/close/quit your DAW..

 

[jxe]

lol get a microsoft.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

lol get a microsoft.

That’s what I get whenever I look at PC’s.

 

[jak3af3r]

That’s what I get whenever I look at PC’s.

Thanks for the hardware/software distinction joke.

 

[iLookLikeElvis]

That’s what I get whenever I look at PC’s.

I'm actually LOL'ing!

 

[CandidPicker]

lol get a microsoft.

I actually attended college where I learned Windows computers to an appreciable degree. Like others who also learned Windows, some of us discovered that Macs had their own appeal, while not necessarily being the easiest to use; Macs had fewer repair issues (IMO) than did Windows. There was also less of a language barrier regarding service techs when trying to reach out to tech support.

For those who enjoy their Windows computers, that's OK. This wasn't a competition regards who likes what computer. Save that for bashing F & G guitarists...(First time offender? No, your honor, first a Gibson, then a Fender...)

 

[CandidPicker]

That’s what I get whenever I look at PC’s.

 

[László]

Odd! I've never had this problem with Logic or Digital Performer. I've been using DAWs (as opposed to MIDI-only sequencers) since the days of Sound Designer (pre-Pro Tools Digidesign) in the late '80s.

That would frustrate the heck out of me.

 

[CandidPicker]

Odd! I've never had this problem with Logic or Digital Performer. I've been using DAWs (as opposed to MIDI-only sequencers) since the days of Sound Designer (pre-Pro Tools Digidesign) in the late '80s.

That would frustrate the heck out of me.

Les,

I think my new iMac inherited a glitch from previous data migrations....each of my previous iMacs had a similar issue w/ GarageBand, though AppleCare was able to provide a bug fix workaround for the problem.

This time, with Logic Pro X, a Singapore tech named Benjamin patiently diagnosed my issue and provided an alternate workflow method that is neither time-consuming nor rigorous.

Simply, when powering up, boot up the audio interface first, then the iMac. The iMac will "read" the interface as the default audio device, otherwise it would default to internal speakers.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Simply, when powering up, boot up the audio interface first, then the iMac. The iMac will "read" the interface as the default audio device, otherwise it would default to internal speakers.

Yeah, that’s totally normal.

 

[CandidPicker]

Yeah, that’s totally normal.

Strangely enough, the issue didn't occur until Logic Pro X was opened. Before, the iMac would default to whatever audio device that was there at the time...I didn't think to check the speaker icon in the upper right screen to confirm whether the audio was connected to either internal speakers or audio interface, but that's the "idiot check" I perform these days...will find out in a minute whether it's possible to click on audio interface in the speaker icon so as to connect the AI instead of internal speakers...

EDIT: Yup. Clicking on audio interface in speaker icon once the device is powered up defaults to audio interface...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Strangely enough, the issue didn't occur until Logic Pro X was opened. Before, the iMac would default to whatever audio device that was there at the time...I didn't think to check the speaker icon in the upper right screen to confirm whether the audio was connected to either internal speakers or audio interface, but that's the "idiot check" I perform these days...will find out in a minute whether it's possible to click on audio interface in the speaker icon so as to connect the AI instead of internal speakers...

EDIT: Yup. Clicking on audio interface in speaker icon once the device is powered up defaults to audio interface...

It confused and aggravated me when I first started using Logic all those years ago too. Now it’s just second nature to check for it.

 

[jxe]

Yeah, that’s totally normal.

plug before play, it even happens on my hp with windows 7.

 

[László]

Les,

I think my new iMac inherited a glitch from previous data migrations....each of my previous iMacs had a similar issue w/ GarageBand, though AppleCare was able to provide a bug fix workaround for the problem.

This time, with Logic Pro X, a Singapore tech named Benjamin patiently diagnosed my issue and provided an alternate workflow method that is neither time-consuming nor rigorous.

Simply, when powering up, boot up the audio interface first, then the iMac. The iMac will "read" the interface as the default audio device, otherwise it would default to internal speakers.

Great tip! Thanks!

I usually boot up the interface first, anyway, so maybe that's why I haven't had the problem.

 

[CandidPicker]

It confused and aggravated me when I first started using Logic all those years ago too. Now it’s just second nature to check for it.

Yep. It was like the old adage my Dad used to say...

Dad: "When your car makes a funny noise, do you turn up the radio, or fix the car?"
Me: "Well, duh, Dad, I turn up the radio so it drowns out the noise."
Dad: "No, son, you have the mechanic fix the car."
Me: "What happens if the funny noise IS the radio, Dad?"
Dad: "Nobody likes a smarta$$, son."

Great tip! Thanks!

I usually boot up the interface first, anyway, so maybe that's why I haven't had the problem.

 

[László]

Speaking of computer issues, today I got the best customer service ever from OWC re: a question about formatting software for one of their new fast SSDs.

I wasn't put on hold for more than a couple of seconds. A knowledgeable human being knew exactly what I was talking about, and walked me through the procedure right away. The whole call took maybe three minutes and everything worked perfectly the first time.

After years of being on hold forever, and talking to folks who really didn't know as much as necessary, this was an eye-opener. Real customer service in 2020!

 

[CandidPicker]

Speaking of computer issues, today I got the best customer service ever from OWC re: a question about formatting software for one of their new fast SSDs.

I wasn't put on hold for more than a couple of seconds. A knowledgeable human being knew exactly what I was talking about, and walked me through the procedure right away. The whole call took maybe three minutes and everything worked perfectly the first time.

After years of being on hold forever, and talking to folks who really didn't know as much as necessary, this was an eye-opener. Real customer service in 2020!

Nice. Am not a fan of being in a "holding pattern" anymore than it takes to reach my "destination," (connected to live tech support, not to some cheesy elevator music).
Perhaps dependent on what time of day the call is made, is usually the reason for the length of hold time.

You'll need to school me as to what 'OWC' translates to...am familiar with AppleCare, and not much else...

The tech from Singapore (Benjamin) (at 11:30 PM-12:30AM) actually asked direct questions regards my computer/audio equipment. I could sense when I was saying too much, and let Ben direct my steps towards solving my problem.

Interestingly, since the initial issue with the errant audio recognition, my iMac seems to have corrected itself...the computer defaults to either internal speaker or audio interface, regardless of what device is powered up first. Just like nothing had been wrong before the issue occurred.

This is one of the few times when leaving things to themselves actually solves the problem, rather than need to work at solving the problem...weird, innit? Dang. This sure puts a crimp in my typical problem-solving man-card.